One of the last major areas of focus for former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler was a requirement that video providers make their set-top box technology open for third-party box-makers to jump into the marketplace.

Now that effort appears to be gone with Wheeler as the new FCC is taking shape. Many consumer groups had heralded the third-party boxes as a path to eliminating equipment rental and setup fees from video providers; however, the possibility of ensuring quality service to a multitude of cable-box brands and platforms would have likely produced significant challenges for small providers like TTA members.

This is not a drill. Broadband legislation is happening. This is the legislative session we have been gearing up for, and now the work TTA members have been putting in for years is coming to fruition.

Forgive me if this sounds a little dramatic, but I want to use this space to make sure all our TTA members realize that after years of talking about broadband expansion in Tennessee, the governor and legislature are poised to take some major steps during this session. As you’ll read in this issue, Gov. Bill Haslam has taken a special interest in pushing for more broadband access for rural Tennesseans. “If we’re serious about putting our rural counties on a level playing field, then opening up broadband access is one of the largest steps forward we can take,” Haslam said in his State of the State address.

When the administration gets behind something like this, things start to happen quickly. Already we’ve seen action on the governor’s “Broadband Accessibility Act.”

Thankfully — and I believe due in part to the conversations led by TTA members and lobbyists — municipal providers are taking a back seat in the governor’s plans, with electric cooperatives getting much of the attention. This presents some interesting partnership opportunities for proactive TTA members.

As I look at the frenzy of activity this year’s session has seen and will continue to see, that word “proactive” still sticks in my mind. TTA has worked for years to proactively inform legislators about our positions. We’ve laid the groundwork, built the relationships and rallied supporters to our issues — but we’re not done yet. Now is the time more than ever to reach out to your legislators, public officials and customers to let them know that no one knows more about serving the communication needs of rural Tennesseans than TTA member telcos.

After all, working proactively to shape the coming legislation puts all of TTA’s members in a better position than having to react to a bill that hurts our companies and our customers.

TTA member executives and key employees are encouraged to join other member company representatives in an effort to meet legislators and make them aware of TTA positions. It’s a busy day, but these meetings have played a key role in making sure the interests of member companies and customers are represented.

TTA Annual Meeting and Convention

WHEN: June 5-7, 2017

WHERE: Marriott Cool Springs, Franklin, TN

Join other telcos and vendors in a time of networking, entertainment and informative sessions.

When President Donald Trump announced Ajit Pai as the new FCC Chairman, many leaders in the rural telecom industry breathed a sigh of relief. A Kansan, Pai is thought to be sympathetic to rural issues, which should benefit — or at least not harm — rural providers as he becomes the industry’s top regulator.

Shirley Bloomfield, CEO for NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, released a statement praising Pai’s commitment to rural America. “Since joining the commission in 2012, Commissioner Pai has shown a commitment to solving rural broadband challenges and to thinking creatively about ways our country can more effectively deploy and sustain advanced communications in rural America. In an address to the NTCA membership in early 2013, Commissioner Pai was the first of his colleagues to call for universal service to enable broadband services in areas served by our members, and Commissioner Pai has consistently placed a spotlight on the kinds of resources and resourcefulness needed to connect America. Having grown up in a small town in Kansas and noting in his address to NTCA members that ‘rural America is different,’ he has a deep and genuine understanding of how the services that NTCA members deliver improve the quality of life and promote economic development in our rural communities.”

His FCC bio page says that Pai’s regulatory philosophy consists of the following:

Consumers benefit most from competition, not preemptive regulation. Free markets have delivered more value to American consumers than highly regulated ones.

No regulatory system should indulge arbitrage; regulators should be skeptical of pleas to regulate rivals, dispense favors or otherwise afford special treatment.

Particularly given how rapidly the communications sector is changing, the FCC should do everything it can to ensure that its rules reflect the realities of the current marketplace and basic principles of economics.

As a creature of Congress, the FCC must respect the law as set forth by the legislature.

The FCC is at its best when it proceeds on the basis of consensus; good communications policy knows no partisan affiliation.

President Trump still has to fill two vacancies on the FCC. One will be a Republican and the other is required to be a Democrat. No timetable has been set for those appointments.

Based on early reports, Pai has been busy. The New York Times reports Pai released about a dozen actions in his first week on the job.

Happy holidays from TTA!

This past year has been another good year for our organization, and I am thankful for each and everyone of our members and associate members who helped make 2016 the year it was.

Each year, the holiday season is always busy with shopping, family travel and a full slate of parties and church events. But for TTA, an even busier time will kick off Jan. 10. As the voice representing our members at the state house, TTA will dive into the legislative session headfirst from January to April. Over the years we have stepped up our efforts to have more of a presence in Nashville during the session, and this year we’re going beyond what we’ve done before. For example:

In the last few months, TTA has worked with Cooley and Associates to place opinion pieces outlining our positions in key newspapers around the state.

We’re also working with Cooley to gain more media coverage highlighting telco customers who have benefited from the service our members provide.

TTA launched this newsletter this year with our partners at WordSouth in order to better communicate about issues with our members. Based on the tracking statistics and feedback, the newsletter is well-read and has been an important tool in keeping members informed.

Once again this year, TTA will be retaining the services of Capitol Strategies to help with our lobbying efforts during the session and beyond.

Though the date is still pending, TTA members will once again meet with key legislators in February to discuss our positions on various telco-related bills and issues.

Based on the legislation I expect will be brought up, this is going to be a very important session for our industry. I’m happy to report that TTA is better prepared and equipped than we’ve ever been to meet those challenges.